The revamped RCB squad has achieved significant wins this season. They secured victories against Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK, and MI in away matches, yet stumbled against the Titans at their home ground. They aim to treat that defeat as a one-off incident, particularly considering the Capitals' formidable bowling arsenal.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal will play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy against Jammu & Kashmir on January 23. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma trained with Mumbai's team, but it's unclear if he will play in the Ranji match, focusing on preparation for the Champions Trophy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stressed the importance of domestic cricket for player development.
Will Smeed, a top-order English batter, expresses enthusiasm about joining the Pretoria Capitals for the SA20 league. Smeed eagerly anticipates playing in front of South African fans, integrating with his new teammates, and working with coach Jonathan Trott, aiming to entertain and contribute to victories.
Joburg Super Kings defeated league leaders Paarl Royals by seven wickets as their skipper Faf du Plessis led the run-chase with a commanding 87 from 55 deliveries to comfortably go past Royals' total of 150 for 9.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has questioned the performance of pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, urging the PCB to find new talent and hold senior players accountable. He pointed out their inconsistency and emphasized the dependency on the pace attack for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
New Zealand's Mitchell Santner acknowledges India's familiarity with Dubai's pitch for the upcoming Champions Trophy final and prepares for a tough contest. Despite a busy schedule and previous defeat to India, Santner is optimistic about their experience. The team adapts well to the busy schedule and is ready for the challenge ahead.
Ravi Shastri criticized England for not putting in enough training effort during their tour in India, implying it affected their performance. However, Jos Buttler defended the team's training regimen, stating they had trained sufficiently despite some skipped sessions due to the tour's length.
Rassie van der Dussen reflected on missing out on the T20 World Cup despite a strong year, pivoting to opportunities in various T20 leagues. Van der Dussen emphasised on continuous learning and playing for South Africa, inspired by Faf du Plessis. He spoke after Lhuan-dre Pretorius impressed once again in the SA20, aiding Paarl Royals in defeating MI Cape Town.
Sediqullah Atal's debut century (104) powered Afghanistan to a crushing 232-run ODI victory over Zimbabwe. A 191-run opening stand with Abdul Malik (84) set up Afghanistan's 286/6. Zimbabwe crumbled for a dismal 54, their second-lowest ODI total ever, highlighting their continued struggles in the format. Afghan bowlers dominated, sharing the wickets amongst themselves.
India's Hardik Pandya expressed confidence in winning the Champions Trophy again, as the team prepares to start their 2025 campaign against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Dubai and Pakistan. Players from England and Afghanistan also shared their excitement and goals for the tournament. Pakistan, the defending champions, looks forward to hosting and competing passionately.
Virat Kohli marks his 300th ODI as India faces New Zealand in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy match. Revered by legends like Sir Vivian Richards, Kohli's boundless energy and passion remain evident, having recently marked his 51st ODI century. Tasked with leading India's charge in this Champions Trophy, he continues to set records in international cricket.